How to Choose the Right Mobile Device

There are a ton of mobile phones on the market. How the hell do I find the right one for me?

The first thing you need to realize is that there isn’t one best device. I don’t care what iPhone fanatics think; they’re dead wrong.

As with any technology, you must find the right one for your own needs.

Here are a few questions to consider before buying a phone:

What am I going to do with it?

This is the most important question. I recommend looking at it on this continuum.

Phone –> Text –> Email –> Web –> Apps

My observation is that people who want to use their mobile for web browsing also use it for email, texting, and phone calls. Similarly, people who don’t text will not have any interest in browsing the Internet on a mobile device.

Based on your usage requirements, find a phone that meets your needs.

I know a woman who only uses her mobile for phone calls… but she bought an iPhone because it’s pretty, trendy, and expensive (she’s a real prize). That’s about as dumb and wasteful as anything I’ve ever heard. There is no reason to pay for a data plan when you could meet your personal usage requirements for a fraction of the price.

What’s my budget?

This is simple. Buy what you can afford.

Don’t buy an iPhone/ Droid if you are broke… and if you do, don’t bitch to your friends about being broke while you check the weather on your iPhone/ Droid.

Touchscreen or QWERTY Keyboard?

Which do you prefer?

No matter what you get, your fingers will get used to it. Even if you don’t like touchscreens, you will probably adapt pretty quickly.

What are my physical limitations?

Do you have physical problems with your eyes, hands, or fingers?

If so, you are going to need to take that into account when you buy a device… but if you have a problem of that nature, I’m telling you something that you already know.